The landlords of a pub closed after a dispute about safety regulations say they are losing thousands of pounds.

The Wig and Pen pub in Wigmore Road, Worthing, has been shut since January 23 following a report by West Sussex Fire Brigade.

Peter and Susan Fake said it was up to owners the Laurel Pub Company, formerly Whitbread, to ensure the building was fitted with adequate safety features which could cost up to £5,000.

Mr Fake, 46, said: "There is no way we could afford that amount of money to make sure it passes the regulations.

"It is up to Laurel to do the work. In the meantime, we have no income and are losing £1,000 every week the pub is shut.

"My wife is finding it very stressful. We don't know what to do."

He said the pub had to stay closed by law until the work was done because they were unable to get insurance after the fire safety report.

Mr Fake, who has run the pub with his wife since 1997, said: "We enjoy living and working here. We have about 450 to 500 regulars and it is a very sociable pub. All we want to do is reopen and make a go of it."

He said Whitbread agreed to do the work when the brigade raised objections prior to a refurbishment of the pub in 1997.

A Laurel spokeswoman said the company was willing to do the work or reimburse Mr and Mrs Fake for getting it done themselves.

Spokeswoman Maureen Heffernan said: "Fire work was completed but a fire officer said it wasn't completed to a satisfactory level.

"We are happy to go and do the outstanding work today but we have not been given access to the building.

"We then told them they could get the work done but they have not done that.

"We have consistently tried to resolve the dispute satisfactorily. All we want is to see the pub reopened and trading as soon as possible."

Mr Fake said he had been waiting for four years for the refurbishment to be completed and he would allow access.